Arch support



J. C. HOWELL ARCH SUPPORT Aug, N), 1937..

Filed April 8, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 10, 1937. J. c. HOWELL ARCH SUPPORT Filed April 8, 1956 2 Sheet Sheet 2 INVENTOR. M0552 G flan ELL BY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to arch supports and has particular reference to improved arch supporting units for the metatarsal and longitudinal arches which units are so constructed and arranged as to permit of the longitudinal, angular and vertical adjustments thereof in order that the same may be selectively set to provide a corrective support for any deformity of the said arches.

The invention further comprehends resilient arch supporting units for the metatarsal and longitudinal arches which are independently adjustable and which includes means adapted to connect the units together and to engage with the sole of the shoe for anchoring the same against longitudinal and angular movements.

The invention includes in one of its forms a flexible resilient arch plate, a tension plate underlying the arch plate, and connected therewith for eifecting upward arching of the arch plate, and means of connection between the said arch supporting units which permits of the relative adjustment of each unit with reference to the sole of the shoe so as to locate the same in any desired position for supporting the arches.

More particularly the invention is directed to a means of connection between the arch supporting units which permits of pivotal adjustment of the metatarsal unit at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points, and means engaging with the metatarsal unit and the sole of the shoe for securing said adjustment.

The invention further includes in another of its forms, an arch sup-porting member comprising upper and lower plies of material connected together at their edges to define a pocket therebetween for selectively receiving filler pads for effecting difierential upward arching of the upper ply and means of connection between the units which permits of the relative adjustment of the units and the pivotal adjustment of the metatarsal unit at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points, together with means engaging with the metatarsal unit and the sole of the shoe for securing said adjustments with the units disposed in any desired position on the sole of the shoe.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, reference is now made to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which there is illustrated several embodiments of the invention while the appended claims cover variations and modifications thereof which fall within the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of arch supporting units for the metatarsal and longitudinal arches illustrated in applied position with a portion of the shoe shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the metatarsal unit.

Fig; 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on line l4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the longitudinal unit.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan View of a modified form of the metatarsal and longitudinal units.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof with parts broken away to illustrate the underlying structure of the metatarsal unit.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on line 99 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view on line l0|0 of Fig. 8. 7

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference and more particularly to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the arch supporting device includes arch supporting units It] and l I for the metatarsal and inner longitudinal arches of the foot respectively.

The arch supporting unit 10 includes a spring metal plate l2 of general oval formation conforming generally to the region of the metatarsal arch of the foot with a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface. The plate i2 is provided with a longitudinally disposed slit I3 extending inwardly from the forward marginal edge thereof to a point adjacent the center and with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending slits M for increasing the flexibility of the plate. Underlying the plate I2 is a tension plate consisting of oppositely disposed similar sections l5 contoured at their outer edges to the form of the side edges of the plate I2 and welded or otherwise secured thereto adjacent the lateral edges thereof and with reduced inwardly directed overlapping portions having aligned slots l6 therein for receiving therethrough a bolt l! adapted to adjustably secure the sections IE together for varying the stress therein for producing a differential transverse upward arching of the plate I2. The unit I0 also includes a plate l8 which underlies the spring plate [2 and which is welded or otherwise secured thereto adjacent the rear edge thereof between the sections I 5 of the tension plate. The said plate is formed with a reduced forwardly extending neck portion which overlies the sections l5 of the tension plate and is disposed between the tension plate and the arch plate [2 and terminates in an enlarged head [9 which underlies the forward portion of the arch plate l2 and extends slightly therebeyond to serve as a bearing for the slitted portion I3 of the arch plate. The said plate 3 also includes a rearwardly directed shank portion 20 provided with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced pivot openings 2| disposed substantially on a line extending longitudinally thereof and with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced arcuate slots 22 formed on radii with the pivot openings respectively as the centers thereof.

The arch supporting unit ll includes a thin spring metal plate 23 which is longitudinally arched and overlies a portion of the heel of the shoe and extends forwardly therefrom under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot to a point adjacent to and at one side of the metatarsal arch supporting unit Ill. The arch plate 23 has its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch and decreases in height with its inner curved edge and its opposite ends bearing upon the sole'of the shoe. The said arch plate is formed with an upwardly curved lip 24 providing a support for the side of the foot adjacent the inner longitudinal arch and with a plurality of longitudinally extending slits 25 for increasing the flexibility thereof. The inner side edge of the arch plate 23 intermediate the ends thereof is provided with a lateral extension 26 formed with a plurality of pivot openings 21 disposed on a curve corresponding substantially to the curvature of the inner side edge of the shank portion of the shoe. The arch supporting unit H also includes a tension plate comprising oppositely disposed sections 28 and 29 welded or otherwise secured at their opposite ends to the ends of the arch plate 23 and with their inner ends disposed in overlapping relation and provided with a registering slot 30 adapted to receive a bolt 3| for selectively tensioning the tension plate so as to produce a differential upward arching of the arch plate 23.

The arch supporting units Ill and H are adapted to be positioned and selectively adjusted longitudinally of the sole of the shoe and angularly about a vertical pivotal connection by means of a bolt 32 extending through any one of the pivot openings 21 in the extension 26 of the arch supporting unit I I and through any one of the pivot openings 2! in the extension 20 of the arch supporting unit I0, the bolt 32 being engaged by the nut 33 to secure the units in set relation and said nut and depending portion of the bolt being engaged in an anchoring recess 34 formed in the upper surface of the sole of the shoe. In order to secure the arch supporting units I I! and l 1 against pivotal movement about the bolt 32 when the said units are connected together in set relation and the bolt is engaged in the anchoring recess '34 of the shoe, a bolt 35 is provided which extends through the corresponding arcuate slot 22 and is secured in position by the nut 36 and the said nut and depending portion of the'bolt engaged in an anchoring recess 31 in the sole of the shoe. It is to be understood that the bolt 35 is adapted to selectively engage any one of the arcuate slots 22 in accordance with the setting of the bolt 32 in the corresponding pivot openings 2!. The bolts 32 and 35 are provided with kerfed heads for engagement by a tool for loosening and tightening the same to provide the adjustment or readjustment desired.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

'7 to 10 inclusive, the arch supporting unit 40 for the metartarsal arch of the foot and the arch supporting unit ll for the inner longitudinal arch of the foot are of the same general shape respectively as the units embodied in the previous form. The arch supporting unit 40 includes upper and lower plies 22 and 43 of leather, rubber or any analogous flexible material which are secured together at their edges by stitching 45 or other equivalent means to define a pocket therebetween, one of the plies, preferably the lower ply 53, being provided with an arcuate slit 45 to define a mouth for receiving therethrough filler pads 54 for providing a differential upward arching of the upper ply 42.

Secured to the outer surface of the lower ply 43 by any means, such as by stitching 46, is a flap 4! extending over the mouth opening 35 to serve as a closure therefor. The arch supporting unit 4i! also includes a member 48 formed of a deformable material which is riveted or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the lower ply 43 adjacent the rear thereof and having a forwardly extending portion 49 adapted to engage with the flapll to secure the same in covering relation with the slot 45 and with the reduced free end thereof engaging in the keeper slot 58 in the flap M and retaining the extension 59 in engagement with the said flap.

The member 48 also includes a rearwardly extending, laterally offset portion 5! provided with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced pivot openings 52 disposed substantially on a line extending longitudinally of the offset portion 5! and with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced arcuate slots 53 formed on radii with the pivot openings 52 respectively as the centers thereof.

. The arch supporting unit 4! includes upper and lower plies 55 and 56 of leather, rubber, or equivalent flexible material which are secured together by'stitching or other equivalent means along their inner curved edges and at their ends and with their outer edges unsecured to provide a mouth opening therebetween and defining a pocket between the plies for receiving one or more filler pads 57 for producing a differential upward arching of the upper ply 55. The said unit also includes an underlying plate 58 of deformable metal or other equivalent material which is of the same general contour as the plies 55 and 55 and is riveted or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the bottom ply 56 with the marginal edges thereof spaced inwardly from the marginal edges of the plies 55 and 56. The plate 58 is formed with a substantially centrally disposed portion 55 which is adapted to be bent angularly to the plane of the body of the said plate and which portion-is provided with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced pivot openings disposed on a curve corresponding substantially to the curvature of the inner side edge of the shank portion of the shoe.'

The arch supporting units 40 and 4! are adapted to be selectively adjusted longitudinally of the sole of the shoe and angularly about a bolt 6| selectively engaging through any one of the pivot openings 60 of the central portion 59 of the plate 58 and through any one of the pivot openings 52 of the offset portion 51 of the member 38, the bolt 6| being engaged by a nut 62 for securing the units in set relation. The arcuate slots 53 are selectively engaged by a bolt 63, which bolt is secured in position in the slot by a nut 64, and the nuts 62 and 54 and the protruding downwardly projecting ends of the bolts 6| and 63 are engaged in anchoring recesses in the sole of the shoe, identical with the anchoring recesses 34 and 3i in the previous form, for securing the arch supporting units 40 and 4| against pivotal 5 movement with reference to the sole of the shoe. The upper ply 55 of the arch supporting unit 4| is formed with an extension 65 adapted to extend over the outer edge portion of the ply 56 to provide a closure flap for closing the mouth opening between the said plies and which extension 65 is provided with keeper tongues 66 for engagement in registering keeper slots 61 and 68 in the bottom ply 56 and the plate 58 for securing the flap in closed relation with the mouth opening.

What is claimed is:

1. An arch supporting unit including a mem ber having an arched upper surface and a rearward extension provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pivot openings and arcuate slots, and means adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe and extending respectively through a pivot opening and arcuate slot for selectively locking the unit in any desired position.

2. An arch supporting device comprising a pair of arch supporting units each having an arched upper surface, means on one of said units provided with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced pivot openings and slots, means on the other unit provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pivot openings adapted to align with the pivot openings in the other unit, and means adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe and extending respectively through aligned pivot openings in the units and through one of 35 said slots for selectively locking the units in any desired position.

3. An arch supporting device comprising a pair of arch supporting units each having an arched upper surface, one of said units being provided 40 with a rearward extension, having a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced pivot openings and arouate slots, means on the other unit provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pivot openings adapted to be selectively registered 45 with the pivot openings in the other unit, and means adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe and extending respectively through registering pivot openings in the units and through one of said slots for selectively locking the units in any 50 desired position.

4. An arch support including a flexible arched plate having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending slots, a tension plate underlying the arch plate and connected therewith 55 for eifecting the upward arching of the arch plate, a plate secured to said arched plate extending rearwardly thereof and provided with a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced pivot openings and slots, and means adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe and extending respectively through a corresponding pivot opening and slot for selectively locking the unit in any desired position on the sole of a shoe.

5. An arch supporting unit including upper and lower plies of material connected together to define a pocket therebetween having a mouth opening adapted to receive filler pads through said mouth opening for effecting a differential upward arching of the upper ply, one of said plies being provided with a keeper opening, a tongue adapted to engage in said keeper opening for closing said mouth, means connected with one of said plies having a plurality of correspondingly spaced pivot openings, and means adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe and extending through one of said pivot openings for selectively locking the unit in any desired position.

6. An arch supporting unit including upper and lower plies of material connected together to define a pocket therebetween having a mouth opening adapted to receive filler pads therethrough for eifecting a diiferential upward arching of the upper ply, and means for closing said mouth opening, one of said plies being provided with an extension having a plurality of spaced pivot openings and slots, and means engaging respectively with one of the pivot openings and slots and adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe for selectively locking the unit in desired position.

'7. An arch supporting unit including upper and lower plies of material connected together to define a pocket therebetween, the lower ply having a mouth opening therethrough adapted to receive filler pads for effecting difierential upward arching of the upper ply, said lower ply being provided with means for closing said mouth opening and having a rearward extension formed with a plurality of correspondingly spaced pivot openings and arcuate slots, and means engaging respectively with one of the pivot openings and arcuate slots and adapted to engage with the sole of a shoe for selectively locking the unit in desired position.

8. An arch supporting device including a flexible arch plate, a tension plate underlying the arch plate and connected therewith for eifecting the upward arching of the arch plate, a plate secured to the arch plate adjacent the rear thereof extending forwardly to underlie the forward edge of the arch plate and extending rearwardly thereof and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pivot openings and slots, and means adapted to engage the sole of a shoe and extend ing respectively through corresponding pivot opening and slot for selectively locking the unit in any desired position on the sole of the shoe.

JOSEPH C. HOWELL. 

